Clear Lake was just a day trip from Forest City, so we took it. Viking Lake was a great stop after we left Forest City. Mason City was a complete surprise. We had no idea that Frank Lloyd Wright has such an influence in there or that their historic homes and a hotel would offer so much fun photography.
Clear Lake was not a small lake! It was beautiful and an obvious destination for vacationers. There were homes all the way around the lake and they each seemed to have a boat parked out back. This paddle boat gave lake tours, had a nice bar and could be rented out for parties.
This was different. Every boat was up and covered. That was true all around the lake. Maybe there is a boat equivalent of an HOA! Nice and tidy.
You know Tom! He was out in the underbrush, gathering ticks, to get the perfect artistic composition. At least he does not fall in the water and drown his camera as I do to get the best composition. I have gotten good at tick removal!
There is, of course, a story here. It appeared that these totally irresponsible adults were placing two kids per sailboat and then pushing them off into the waters of the lake. I was shocked! The kids looked like they were about 8 years old. While wearing water vests and certainly not seeming upset, it still looked irresponsible. Where were the parents?
After a bit, it appeared that all was well. The haphazard beginning got sorted out, the adults got in a motorized boat and stayed close to the small boats. Later, I found out that this is a sailing class for kids and that it is hugely popular and no one has ever had an incident. Foolish Carol! See, they are all lined up.
This is known as the Stockman House. It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright based on his open floor plan described in his 1907 Ladies Home Journal article "A Fireproof House for $5,000. The design was to become the Prairie School approach to housing needs of America's middle class. The home is now owned by the River City Society for Historic Research and is open to the general public as a house museum. It was not open when we visited the site.
Side view of Stockman House.
Front and side view of Stockman House.
The simple and elegant entry way and window treatment is inspired by Wright's design elements.
I lost my notes on this house. So sorry! Guessing another Prairie House.
I am not sure, but I believe this is the Arthur Rule House. built in 1912. If you guessed it to be a Prairie School design you were correct.
This is called the Temple House and is an example of Tudor Revival. It was built in 1929. The roof is made of slate. Sometimes the ownership history is interesting. The house was built by Mr. Temple. He owned the print shop in Mason City that printed all the billboards for Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey and other circuses.
This is listed as the Richardson / Page House, built before 1905. It has a lot of style features but was not identified as any particular predominant style. The classical columns may be taken from Queen Ann style homes in Mason City.
This impressive home is known as 'Stonyacre'. It is a Neo-Classical Revival house built in 1901. It might be of interest to know that right behind many of these homes ran a river that periodically flooded the area, even though most of them were built on a bluff above the river.
This is the Yellen House, built in 1910 and designed by William Drummond. 'The architect was described as 'fluent in Wright's idiom'. This house is a Prairie School design with a 'strong horizontal emphasis'. Loved reading all the descriptions in our handbook about each home and then looking up at the home and thinking, "Oh' I see that!"
This is the mezzanine of the Park Inn Motel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 19010. As we toured the inside (tripods allowed) I was impressed with the obvious and abandant patterns that I associate with a Wright design. The geometric patterns, the open feeling, the way everything seem to fit together was impressive.
The National Bank adjoins the Park Inn Hotel. Special consideration was given to designing the second floor to allow maximum light and ventilation. The upper windows and entrance are guarded by heavy bronze castings to secure the bank.
Viking Lake is Missouri State Park and when we arrived just prior to the weekend we found it full of families with children. It was a nice change from the usual retirement age folk that just get out to walk their dog. We used it as a nice home base for exploring local roads edged in corn and soybeans.
Not a bad way to end a day.